Shirley home damaged in blaze; firefighter hurt, officials say

A firefighter was injured Sunday morning battling a blaze that severely damaged a single-family house in Shirley, Mastic fire officials said.

Fire Chief Rudy Suderman said the Mastic firefighter suffered a cut on his hand and was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue to get stitches.

Suderman said the fire at the one-story wood frame home on Pinelawn Avenue started about 7:50 a.m. and took around 40 firefighters nearly a half-hour to bring under control.

When Suderman got to the home, “The family was already safely outside the house,” he said.

Flames could be seen going through the roof and there were “about five” family members at the scene, he said.

“The family heard the smoke alarm going off — the children told their father they smelled smoke and the family quickly exited the home,” Suderman said.

Suderman said the cause and origin of the fire were under investigation but that the most damage appeared to be to the kitchen and garage. He said the home was not completely destroyed.

Assistance was called in from the Brookhaven, Ridge, Manorville and Center Moriches fire departments, Suderman said.